







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | |
| Umm, you can tell them it's our wedding anniversary. | |
| I don't want to talk about this issue in this house. | |
| I guess you need to change your cooking plan now! | |
| I guess time doesn't pass for you while I'm away. | |
| Hello guys, is it possible to make a little less noise? | |
| What's up? Is everything okay? | |
| Hello, I'm sorry, but there is no chardonnay left, Cate. | |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | |
| Does the kid think he is a robot or the robot think it's a kid? | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |
| Really? I don't want to ruin your plan, but... | |
| It goes faster, but we don't want to walk to the tube station. | |
| That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | |
| No, I don't have one! | |
| Oh f*ck off, I've got to go now... | |
| Your perfectly shaped mushrooms are ready! | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | |